What determines the licence fee?
The relevant licensing scheme, council, property and application type. Mandatory HMO licensing, additional HMO licensing and selective licensing are distinct regimes. Fees may vary based on room count, licence duration, property circumstances, accreditation, discounts and enforcement history. Check both the scheme and the effective fee schedule before budgeting.
Example: Croydon additional HMO licensing
Croydon Council's public schedule, checked 2026-10-15, states the following before any discounts for its 2026 additional HMO licensing scheme. These figures are source-checked research awaiting formal human review, not permission to let a property.
| Category | Part A | Part B | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional HMO licence | £750 | £500 | £1,250 |
| One-year Additional HMO licence | £750 | £100 | £850 |
Check Croydon Council's latest fees and discount requirements ↗.
Published Croydon discount examples
These are the additional HMO licence totals in the cited council schedule after one qualifying discount, not guarantees. Eligibility is assessed with the full application. Do not assume discounts can be stacked or that they apply to a one-year licence.
| Published category | Part B after discount | Illustrative total |
|---|---|---|
| EPC B or above EPC B or better may qualify for a reduction, subject to the council assessment. | £450 | £1,200 |
| Qualifying landlord accreditation Recognised landlord accreditation or membership may qualify, subject to council assessment. | £400 | £1,150 |
The council says discounts do not apply after two requests for missing supporting documents or a warning letter for failure to license. Confirm the official accreditation and discount conditions ↗ before applying.
Part A versus Part B: why split payments matter
Croydon's application-stage payment is separate from the later amount for a licence granted after assessment. Applicants should understand whether a first-stage payment is refundable, what can trigger resubmission and how the council determines eligibility for any discount. These policies vary, so follow the current authority's own explanation rather than assuming a standard national structure.
Why getting the initial application right matters
For Croydon's additional HMO licence, the £750 Part A payment is not refunded when the application is refused, rejected or withdrawn. Where supporting information is missing, the council specifies a 14-day response window; a rejected application requires a fresh Part A fee on reapplication. This is a Croydon example, not a national rule. Check your own authority's terms and supporting document requirements before paying.
Five questions before paying
- Is the property within the current designation and does the particular scheme apply?
- Which licence category is being requested and what is the maximum duration?
- Does the council charge separately for application and granting stages?
- What evidence is needed to qualify for discounts, and when must it be supplied?
- Are planning consent, inspections, building works or professional advice separate additional costs?
Does an HMO licence guarantee planning permission?
No. Planning permission and housing licensing address different questions. A property's position under an Article 4 direction requires separate investigation. See our HMO Article 4 planning evidence guide.
What we haven't calculated
We do not provide nationwide fee estimates, verified current pricing for other councils, a sum of discretionary charges, or a definitive fee quote. As more council schedules pass review, these examples can grow into a dated, comparable directory.
For the licence application process, see GOV.UK's licensing guidance and our free HMO compliance preparation checklist.